Off To Resident Summer
Camp

There may be several months between the time
that you select your camp and send in your deposit
and opening day. However, helping your child
prepare for camp involves more than just packing
their trunk. You want to make sure that your child
is ready emotionally for this new adventure.
Preparing your child is a delicate balance. While
you want to talk about this exciting new
experience, you also don't want to overdo it. With
too much discussion, your child may seem to loose a
sense of reality, and her expectations and
fantasies may never be met, leading to
disappointment. It's also possible that she could
focus on her fears so much that they become
overwhelming, leading her to focus only on how
homesick she may be. Therefore, if there are
several months before the beginning of camp, you
may want to drop the subject until at least March
or April. You will probably begin to receive
pre-season information from the camp, and you can
share these with your child in your
discussions.

How
to Talk About CampBe careful how often and which words
you choose when you are talking about camp.
Children have incredible radar, and they will pick
up on your concerns and fears, even if you never
say anything negative. You may want to visit your
local library or movie rental store to pick up
books or movies about camp. While many of the
storylines are exaggerated, they can prompt
discussion on how to handle issues that may arise
at camp. Watch or read them together. However, make
sure to pick up on the subtle signals that your
child sends. If they seem put off by the books or
videos, then drop the subject. Most importantly,
make sure that you never use camp as a threat or in
anger. It's important that you never seem like
you're counting the days until your child leaves
for camp. The words can linger longer than you
think, and it will confuse your child about what
camp is supposed to be. Your child should believe
that camp is a fun experience and that is why you
have chosen it.

Some
Dos

Do try to have your child meet the camp
director before camp begins.

Do talk about the camp in a positive way, to
let your child know that you believe camp is a
safe, exciting place.

Do try and arrange a play date with a fellow
camper before camp. If this is not possible, try
and establish a link through mail, e-mail, or
phone.

Do continue to have short separations, such
as sleepovers with family and friends for good
practice.

Do allow your child to verbalize her
concerns, even if they sound silly. You may
learn about worries that you can easily
resolve.

Do talk to an experienced camper about the
program. He or she can tell you what you will
really need to pack, what you can leave at home,
and what kids really wear, and do at camp.

Some
Don'ts

Don't introduce anything else new in
your child's life. Try to keep everything as
normal as possible, especially in the time close
to the opening day.

Don't try to squeeze in a family
vacation just before camp starts. Plan to be at
home for at least five days before your child
leaves for camp to provide the comfort of a
usual routine.

Don't let your child suspect your on
concerns about his adjustment.

1) Let your child assume
responsibility for her room and personal
belongings.At camp, children have responsibility
for making their own beds and cleaning their
personal area. They must keep track of their own
belongings. They will be responsible as a group for
cleaning up the bunk and sweeping it out on a daily
basis. Help your child to learn basic housekeeping
skills so that camp responsibilities are less
intimidating. If your child is not already
responsible for changing her sheets and making her
bed, teach her how to do these things. Make sure
that your child puts her dirty clothes in the
laundry each day. Teach her the difference between
'dirty' and 'wet'. Explain to your child that
towels, bathing suits, and clothes soaked by rain
should be hung to dry before being put into the
laundry. Taking responsibility for her belongings
is an important lesson of camp. Practice putting
away toys and books so she will know where they are
the next time that they are needed.

2) Make personal hygiene a
personal responsibility.Before your child leaves for camp,
insist that he assumes responsibility for teeth
brushing, showering, and washing his hair without
reminder. If this is difficult, make a chart for
your child to check off each day. Reserve comment
or reminders until the end of the week, and then
review the chart together. For girls with long
hair, make sure that they know how to brush it and
remove tangles. Make sure to pack plenty of
conditioner. For girls, one of the popular
activities during rest hour is trying different
hairstyles or hair braiding. While it's tempting to
suggest a haircut for the summer, this
transformation can be traumatic for many girls.
It's better to practice at home how to keep long
hair manageable at camp. Even if your child doesn't
normally wear her hair in a ponytail, make sure to
pack plenty of hair elastics to tie it back. In the
heat of the summer, and while playing active
sports, girls will want to keep their hair up.

3) Stay out of peer
conflicts.Learning to resolve disputes between
friends is an important life lesson. Though we may
want to ease the way for their own children, they
need to learn that they are competent to solve
their own disagreements with friends. When a child
complains about a problem, instead of immediately
offering a solution, let her try and figure out her
options. Role play various scenarios with your
child. The independence with help her when she is
living with new people 24 hours a day.

4) Review money
management.If your child will be taking trips and
allowed to buy souvenirs, make sure he is
comfortable carrying money and counting change.
When you are out shopping, let him pay for
purchases, and check that he has received the
correct change before leaving the counter. If your
camp has a canteen, you may have to deposit a
certain amount at the beginning of the summer, with
possible additions as the season progresses. Agree
on a reasonable budget, with suggestions from the
director. If your child wants more, you may decide
that additional funds must come from her
allowance.

5) Practice problem-solving
skills.There are two issues that parents must
help their child learn before camp. First, your
child must learn to think before acting. Taking
time to think about the problem and possible
solutions before acting is a sign of maturity. Role
play various scenarios with your child and
encourage her to think of more than one solution to
the problem presented. Let your child know that you
have confidence in his abilities to handle the
challenges of camp. Secondly, make sure your child
knows that it is not just ok, but smart, to ask for
help. It's a sign of maturity to know that you
should ask for help, and it's the job of the
counselors and staff to ask for help. Let your
child know that there are many people at camp that
can help her, and that she can always go to the
camp director with a problem.

6) Just say no!Make sure that your child understands
that it's ok to say no, not just to alcohol, drugs,
and tobacco, but also to potentially dangerous
situations. Practice what to say if your child is
dared to do something that he knows would be off
limits at home. Make clear to your child that any
safety rule at camp has to be obeyed whether
counselors are present or not. This means:

No swimming without a lifeguard on duty

Never using sports equipment without
permission

Never playing with ropes courses or riflery,
archery, and gymnastics equipment without
supervision.

No matches or lighters

No wandering away from camp or to off limits
areas of camp.

Getting OrganizedEven before you get the suggested
packing list, you can begin to get organized. Some
of the necessary equipment can be purchased early
and perhaps on sale. Other should be purchased
later to get the right size and style.

Packing
MoreThe camp will send you a suggested
packing list, but what is on paper and what is
really needed can be two different things. While
the camp director is a good resource, an even
better one is a family whose child was in camp the
previous summer. From them, you can find out what
is a necessity, what is optional, and what they
campers really wear, use, and need. Things to ask
about include:

If you've chosen a uniform camp, you want to
know whether campers wear the uniform daily, or
only during off-camp trips and inter-camp
games.

How seriously are housekeeping chores taken?
If the director is checking for crisp, hospital
corners, then you will need to purchase cot
linens. If the point is only to have a neat
cabin, then you can use items from your own
linen closet.

Are the specialty items on the camp list,
like hiking boots or expensive sleeping bags,
really needed? An experienced camper can tell
you if this equipment is really necessary, or if
sneakers and a sleepover sleeping bag will
suffice.

The
Camp OutfitterCamp outfitters are commercial
establishments that will fit your child from head
to toe, and sew in name tags. These stores offer
the convenience of one stop shopping and a voice of
experience for a price. They can advise on what is
really necessary, and they know what kind of
materials will stand up to the rigors of summer
camp. For some items, these services cost more, and
if you shop carefully, you can save money by doing
it on your own. However, if your camp requires
uniforms, you will still have to do at least part
of your shopping with an outfitter.

You Can Never Have Too
MuchWhen you review the packing list,
keep in mind the laundry cycle at camp to calculate
how many clothes your child will need to last while
others are in the wash. You can never have too many
pairs of underwear or socks. Some families send as
many as twenty-four pairs of socks. Pack identical,
all white socks so that even if some are lost, your
child can still make pairs with the remaining ones.
Remember most camps do have a limited amount of
storage.

What
Comes HomeYou may not recognize the clothes
that return at the end of the summer. If you get
them all back, they will probably look smaller,
worn out, and still look dirty. Camp life is hard
on clothes, and you may have to throw some out when
they get back home. Also note the clothes and
equipment that comes back looking spotless. This
will help you to know what you don't need to pack
next year.

TowelsCamp is typically very heavy on
water. Your child will be sweating, swimming, and
showering. While you shouldn't spend a fortune on
luxurious towels, the cheap, thin ones won't last
or offer much absorbency. You should get all-cotton
towels, but don't get to heavy a weight or they
will take too long to dry on the line in humid
summer weather. Stay with mostly standard-sized
bath towels. Bath sheets are nice to wrap up in,
but they tend to get dragged in the dirt because of
their overwhelming size.

Whose
Clothes?You will want to identify, either
with name tapes or permanent marker, every piece of
clothing and equipment that you send to camp with
your child. Besides identifying clothing for
laundry days, there will be many other children at
camp who will have identical supplies. Name tags
help your child stay organized and help her to find
her stuff. Try to mark your child's name in the
same place on each garment, and let your child know
about these spots.

Keep
a List of What you SendBefore you begin to fill up the
luggage, make a list of what you are sending, and
where it is packed, if there is more than one piece
of luggage. Keep one list inside the luggage, and
keep another copy of the list at home. This will
help your child know what should be coming home,
and help you know what you need to replace for the
next summer.

How
Will it Get to Camp?Each camp has its own procedure for
getting the luggage to the site. The camp will
provide directions. Some camps have the trunks sent
ahead so that the counselors can unpack them before
the campers arrive. While this eases the transition
to camp, keep in mind this means that you have to
have everything ready several days before camp
starts. At other camps, campers will take their
belongings with them on the bus and will arrive at
the same time as their belongings.

LuggageThe camp director will be able to
advise you on what luggage (trunks, duffels, or
suitcases) work best for the program. In some
camps, luggage is immediately unpacked and stored
outside the cabin, in which case you can use
whatever you prefer. In other cases, trunks are
kept in the bunk and used for storage, making
suitcases or soft-sided luggage less practical.
Make sure that whatever is required, you invest in
sturdy materials. Cheaper cardboard trunks and
nylon duffels don't hold up as well. Luggage must
be sturdy to hold up the rigors of camp life. If
you are sending a trunk, make sure that the latches
and lock are functional and that your child can
open, close, lock, and unlock the trunk easily.
Make sure that you don't over-pack duffels. You
child will almost certainly not pack for the return
trip as neatly as you do, and you want to make sure
that they can close the bags themselves.

Unwritten
EssentialsFrom the list your camp provides and
from discussions with the director and other
campers, you'll know what equipment and clothing to
send. However, other essentials that may not be on
the list can smooth the transition in the opening
days of camp. Some ideas include:

Comfort Items, Include a favorite stuffed
animal for your camper. If your camper is
hesitant or nervous about taking a stuffed
animal, think about sending a comforter or
pillowcase. A picture of the family and pets can
also be reassuring.

A First Letter, Include a short message for
your camper to find when she opens the trunk and
unpacks. Keep the note brief and upbeat. You may
also want to include a comic book or something
to share with new bunkmates.

A Deck of Cards, This is a bunk staple, and
gives your child something to play with friends,
and also alone if he wishes.

A Flashlight, You may want to include more
than one. A traditional handheld flashlight is
good for walking at night, while a headlamp is
good for reading in bed at night.

Books, Your child may enjoy reading during
rest hour and in bed before going to sleep. You
may want to pack magazines and game or puzzle
books as well.

Games, Travel size versions of popular games
are fun and provide your child with a connection
to other campers.

Batteries, Your child will need batteries,
especially if they forget to turn off the
flashlight overnight.

Disposable Camera , A camera is a great way
for your child to share their memories of camp
with you when they get home.

Stationery, Pens, Stamps, Address Book
&endash; Make sure to pack some stationery and
pre-addressed, stamped envelopes to ensure that
you get at least a few letters while your child
is at camp. Help your child to make an address
book of family and friends, and remind her that
she's more likely to get a letter if she writes
one.

Medical
CheckupsJune is a busy month for
pediatricians as they try to fit in all the medical
checkups for campers preparing to depart.
Scheduling your child's appointment in April or May
helps you to avoid the rush. Even if you don't have
the camp's forms yet, you can schedule the
appointment and send the forms in when they arrive.
You should also have a dental checkup and any
necessary work done before the beginning of camp.
Some issues to discuss with your child's doctor
include:

Vaccinations, Double check that your child
is fully immunized and that his tetanus shot is
still current.

Medications, If your child already takes
medication on a routine basis, make sure that
you have dosage instructions from your doctor
and an adequate supply for the summer. Discuss
with your doctor whether your child can take a
summer 'holiday' from medication, but do not
make this decision without consulting your
doctor. Children who are on antidepressants,
antipsychotics, or other psychiatric medications
should continue to take them. Reassure your
child that there will be many other children at
camp who take a variety of medications.

Allergies, If your child suffers from
seasonal allergies, ask if she should change or
add to his medications to deal with being in a
camp environment.

Personal responsibility, Although the camp
will have an on-site medical staff, remind your
camper that he must assume some responsibility
for taking care of himself. Many camps accept
children with chronic diseases such as asthma or
diabetes, but unfortunately, kids sometimes see
camp as a way to escape dealing with the
illness.

Don't rely on forms, Although you will
provide the camp with the medical forms and
information, ask to speak directly with your
child's counselor and the camp medical staff if
your child has a potentially life-threatening
illness or condition.

Insect repellant and sunscreen, Be sure to
pack both in your child's bag, but also review
the use with your child. Sunscreens, even
waterproof varieties, only delay sunburn, and
must be frequently reapplied if your camper is
having extended exposure to the sun. Its
important to remind your campers to wear hats
and shirts, and to apply a sunblock, such as
zinc oxide on the nose and cheeks, when around
the water for an extended period of time.

Glasses, Invests in a second set and send
both to camp. You should also include your
child's prescription for glasses or contact
lenses with the medical forms.

Check with the orthodontist, Many camps can
arrange for emergency and routine orthodontic
treatment. Ask if your child's treatment can
wait until after camp, or if the camp's dental
professionals can handle any necessary routine
treatment. Have your orthodontist write a list
of instructions, and be sure and pack any
necessary equipment (rubber bands, head gear,
retainers).

Off
to CampMonths of searching,
decision-making, preparation, and packing, the last
night before departure for camp can be hectic and
seem surreal.

Get
OrganizedYou want to avoid any disasters in
the morning, so lay out what you and your child
agree that she will wear in the morning. The
emphasis should be on both physical and
psychological comfort. Make sure that any new
clothing is washed and that shoes are broken in. If
you have any additional paperwork that needs to get
to camp, place it in an envelope with your child's
name on the outside. Put all camp supplies by the
door so that you don't have to search for last
minute items in the morning. Try to keep the night
before camp a quiet evening. You want your child to
be rested. Try to keep your child's regular bedtime
and if necessary, linger a few minutes for last
minute reassurance.

The
GoodbyeThe best case scenario for the
goodbye is a warm, quick hug and a few words of
love. It is not the time for reflections on what
everything means. Try to stave off tears until you
are alone. Your child may be fighting his emotions,
and may not be able to keep his own tears back if
he sees yours. On the other hand, if you do fall
apart, that's ok. You may be momentarily
embarrassed, but it will pass. If your child starts
to cry, remind him that you know it's hard to
separate and that it's scary to try something new.
Reassure your child that you are sure that she is
ready for camp and that she'll have a wonderful
time. It's not beneficial to you or your child to
prolong this conversation. Ask one of your camp
counselors to help your child get on the bus. Try
to remember that separation may be difficult, but
going to camp will provide your child with new
opportunities for growth. Be assured that good camp
programs are prepared to help children overcome
homesickness, and they are ready, willing, and able
to make sure your child enjoys this new
experience.